Coronavirus related casino shutdown has finally come to an end in Vegas. Gaming properties have reopened and now slot machines are back on floors. Cards and other games are also making a comeback on the scene.

Recouping from a challenge

Derek Stevens, owner of two casinos in downtown Las Vegas, said,

“The past few months have presented our city with an unprecedented challenge. We are excited to get our employees back to work and to welcome guests to the entertainment capital of the world.”

Hotels and casinos in downtown and suburban Las Vegas opened at 12:01 am. After that, the Las Vegas Strip based iconic Bellagio fountain also opened up.

The D Hotel and Casino owned by Stevens found several dozen people waiting in line to get inside the property. The casino checked everyone’s temperatures at the doors and crowds started filling in the floors like usual. However, they were all wearing masks. Several people have already started to pour into Vegas to see their favorite properties reopen and to have a good time.

Wynn Resorts took a different approach to opening. Supporting the ongoing protests over George Floyd’s death in Minnesota, the casino pushed its opening back to the daylight hours.

Hope arrives in Vegas

As businesses have started opening up again, there is hope that the markets will be back on their feet. Alan Feldman, a former casino executive and a fellow at the International Gaming Institute at the University of Nevada said that the state, casinos, and communities have put a tremendous amount on the line. He also claims that this is an important moment for them.

All casino resorts, including tribal properties, have been closed in Vegas since March 17 after Gov. Steve Sisolak released emergency orders to shut down all nonessential businesses. Unemployment in the state topped 28% in April as casinos furloughed their employees. Now, casinos are running on the hope that heightened security measures like hand sanitizers, face masks, and limiting the number of players at tables could generate enough confidence among the visitors to bring them back.